1_GeckoWatch_ParentLetter
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GECKOWATCH
OCTOBER 26, 2020 | ISSUE NO. 1
Announcements for All
• As a result of Guam’s PCOR1 status, the GWHS Office will
remain closed to the public, with visitors allowed only on
appointments basis.
• Official start date for 2nd Quarter is October 19. For hard
copy learners AND for those who have made arrangements
with teachers, work from 1st quarter will still be accepted
and graded, even if already in Quarter 2.
• 1st Quarter Grades will be a reporting of progress: Pass (P),
Fail (F), (No Grade) - See page 2 for more details
• Need a laptop? The device application is on our school
website. Download, complete, and send to gwhs@gdoe.net.
Applications
Received
210
Applications
Approved
210
Laptops
Received
195
• The district is proposing a move away from the hard copy
model and the possibility of only two options: face-to-face or
online. We are encouraging ALL students to remain - or
switch - to the online model. Laptops are available and
Internet services will soon be available for GDOE students.
Requests to change from online to the hard copy model is
highly discouraged.
• GWHS will also be designated as a Community Learning
Center (CLC), where students will be able to do work in a
Computer Lab, or avail of WiFi in the school cafeteria. Details
about CLC opening and hours of operation will be announced
at a later time.
• Requests for transcripts can be made through our school
website under the ‘Forms’ tab
• Requests for verification can be made by emailing
gwhs@gdoe.net.
Important Dates
• October 29 (Thurs), Faculty
Meeting via Zoom, 2:30pm
• November 2 (Mon) - All Souls’
Day, NO CLASSES
• November 3 (Tues) - General
Election, NO CLASSES;
Professional Development for
Teachers
• November 6 (Fri), Parent Teacher
Conference, scheduled
individually with teachers -
7am-12noon
•
Parent Teacher Conference
• Individual appointments should be
made with teachers between PTC hours
• Teachers’ email addresses are available
on the DIRECTORY tab on our school
website: www.gwhsgeckos.com
• November 11 (Wed) - Veterans
Day Holiday, NO CLASSES
NOTE:
Dates for online learners and hard copy
learners are detailed in separate pages in
this newsletter
Any changes to the school’s schedule or
procedures are posted on our school website,
social media sites, and sent out through SWIFT
Power Announcement.
STAY
CONNECTED
www.gwhsgeckos.com 734-2911 @gwhsguam
gwhs@gdoe.net 300-3084 @gu.gwhs
298 Washington Drive
Mangilao, Guam 96913
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 2
Attendance Policy Approved by GEB | October 16, 2020
Grading Policy
Approved by GEB | October 16, 2020
1. 1st Quarter will be used as a Progress Period/Grade or “Point-in-time” snapshot for the 1st semester and
NOT a summative 1st quarter grade.
a. This Progress Period/Grade will be reflected as either:
i. Pass (P): Enough evidence to determine passing
ii.
iii.
Fail (F): Not Enough Evidence to determine passing
No Grade (NG): No contact with student or no evidence submitted. This grade will remain until
changed by teacher or school official and will NOT automatically convert to an “F” as per existing
grading policy.
2. Grading for 2nd quarter will follow regular GDOE grading policy with a final percentage grade for the
semester.
3. Honors and AP classes will be offered using all Models of Learning for the remainder of the 1st semester.
However, effective 2nd semester, all AP and Honors classes will be offered only as Online or FTF classes.
Interested students who do not have consistent access to equipment will be provided with a device. Internet
access will be available at designated Community Learning Centers.
a. School Administrators will address special requests for Hard Copy accommodations or alternative mens of
instruction on a case by case basis.
4. Performance Based Classes: For 2nd Semester, Performance Based Classes will be offered only as
Online or FTF classes. Interested students who do not have consistent access to equipment will be provided
with a device. Internet access will be available at designated Community Learning Centers.
a. School Administrators will address special requests for Hard Copy accommodations or alternative means of
instruction on a case by case basis.
5. The Divisions of C&I and RP&E, in collaboration with school representatives will develop a formative and
summative evaluation plan to monitor the implementation of Distance Learning Plans and policies.
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 3
CELEBRATIONS!
Congratulations!
Student Body Association
School Year 2020-2021
Josiah Taitingfong
SBA President
Rebeccalyn Mangegol
Vice President
Hafa Adai, Geckos!
Makenna-Loren Luty
Secretary
Joseph Hapdei
Activities Coordinator
Alison Dilipy
Treasurer
Welcome to the start of another great school year at George
Washington High School! The GWHS Student Body Association is
looking forward to again, providing enriching, enjoyable programs
and activities for the students and families of GW. As your newly
elected SBA president, I look forward to working alongside my
amazing team to put together fun and exciting activities for all of us
to enjoy. Due to the current global health pandemic, our school life
has changed drastically. Our team is working on creating virtual
activities and outreach programs to help maintain school spirit
during this time. Please be safe, wash your hands, practice social
distancing, and wear a mask. As a community, we will get through
this together!
If you have any questions or concerns please email us at
georgewashingtonsba@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram at
sbageckos_.
Nicole Pajaro
Public Relations Officer
Best. Regards,
Josiah Tait∈gfg
Rhy’an Shimizu
Parliamentarian
Matua Salas
Sargent-at-Arms
Connect with your SBA
Be sure to follow them on
Instagram: @sbageckos_
Lola Aguon
Historian
Any ideas to make this school
year fun and exciting -
even in a digital space?
Let them know!
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 4
CELEBRATIONS!
Happy Retirement
Ms. Lucille Lauron
25 years
Mrs. Bobbie Quinata
34 years
Ms. Melen Ruiz
47 years
A teacher affects eternity;
he never knows where his
influence stops.
- Henry Adams
Mrs. Nenita Salinas
34 years
Ms. Martha Tenorio
29 years
Ms. Bernidete Perez,
Administrative Officer
29 Years
For Online Learners
SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
At least once a week, during
scheduled subject per day
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
Throughout the rest of the week,
working independently and
applying lessons learned during
synchronous learning session
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 5
ONLINE LEARNERS
Expectations: Online
Check your GDOE email for invites to Google
Classroom (If you didn’t get an invitation,
EMAIL your teacher and ask to resend.
Teachers’ emails are posted on the website
under ‘Directory’)
Log onto your classrooms as scheduled per
subject area. Not attending class equals an
absence.
You should have a SYNCHRONOUS learning
session Monday-Thursday for each of your
classes
Throughout the week, you may be engaged in
asynchronous learning as you practice what
you’ve learned
Be sure to READ and SIGN the revised MOU
(given through English teachers, and also
available on the school website
Each day is
designated for a
particular subject
area(s), and should
be the same for ALL
teachers/classes.
Times may vary,
depending on team
agreements, and
teacher-student
ratios.
Notify teachers and/
or admin -
gwhs@gdoe.net)
(teachers’ emails in
‘Directory’ on our
website) with any
concerns
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 6
HARD COPY
LEARNERS
Expectations: Hard Copy
Pick up packets EVERY OTHER WEEK -
this also counts towards attendance
Complete assignments and RETURN
when picking up new packet
Complete assignments with INTEGRITY
Check the school website, follow GW on
social media sites, or check-in with
teachers via email frequently. Any
sudden changes to the Grab & Learn
Schedule will be posted immediately
through these avenues.
UPCOMING CHANGES:
• AP/Honors students are highly
encouraged to switch to the online
model. Those who remain in the hard
copy model during the 2nd semester may
not receive the additional 10 points at the
end of the semester
• Beginning 2nd Semester (3rd Qtr), some
performance-based classes will ONLY
be offered ONLINE (ex, ROTC,
Keyboarding). More info forthcoming.
Reason for change in Grab & Learn Schedule
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 7
LIFE READY: College and Career Supports
For more information: https://www.gwhsgeckos.com/college--career-prep.html
Contact your counselor
for more information
about college or career
opportunities.
Don’t know who your counselor is? See the next page.
The Admissions Team at Saint Mary’s College of
California is thrilled to have connected with so many of
your students via virtual high school visits, college fairs,
interviews, and more this fall! Although we aren’t able to
travel to your schools and fairs and meet you all inperson,
we still want to do everything in our power to
share the wonderful, world-class experiences Saint
Mary’s offers our students.
Upcoming Deadlines:
• Early Action Deadline—Nov 15
• Regular Decision Deadline—Jan 15
• Departmental Scholarships—Jan 15
For more information, contact Ms. Monica Lujan at
matlujan@gdoe.net
GECKO WATCH OCTOBER 26, 2020 | www.gwhsgeckos.com | Page 8
Additional Information
School Personnel
Find your cohort:
Cohort A Cohort B Cohort C
Last Name
A - Flores
Know your counselor:
Student’s Last Name
A - Cepeda, Ja
Cepeda, Jo - Gamow
Garcia - Laman
Lane - Palop
Pangelinan -
San Nicolas, Ma
San Nicolas, Pa - Z
GCC Programs
Last Name
Fm - Patis
Last Name
Paulino - Z
Counselor
Dr. E. Ichihara-Rosario
Dr. V. Camacho
Mr. G. Comia
Ms. N. Cruz
Ms. L. Montague
Ms. Lujan
Ms. H. Analista
• Information for November 3rd PD
forthcoming
• Be advised that during PCOR1 status of
‘teleworking,’ all faculty and staff are
required to be ‘available’ during working
hours whether through phone, email, or
teleconference. Leave shall be charged
accordingly.
• Emails are to be checked daily, and
responded to accordingly
• Synchronous learning sessions are
expected on designated subject area day.
Google Classroom invitations or meeting
links should be sent to GWHS admin
(gwhs@gdoe.net).
• If a synchronous learning session will
NOT take place during designated day,
admin needs to be notified prior to,
and leave must be requested
• Inputting of grades via PowerSchool is
expected weekly.
• Students who have received laptops will
be participating in the online model of
learning. Please help in their transition
and allow ample time to catch up.
• 16Bs are to be emailed to parents (copy
Ms. Elane and CRTs in correspondence) no
later than October 29th.
• Students’ requests to change model of
learning should be directed to admin.
• Grade book: When marking ‘NG’, be sure
to include comment stating reason and
appropriate next steps
• Counselors: Any changes made to MOLs
and/or student schedules shall be shared
with affected teachers
• Content meetings should be held on
Fridays. Minutes and attendance are to be
submitted to admin.
• Grab and Learn:Be guided by SOP and
Oct/Nov Calendar sent via email
• IMPORTANT! KEEP OUR SCHOOL
COMMUNITY SAFE: In the event of the
following, you are to stay home, notify
admin immediately, and wait for further
guidance:
- Contacted for contact tracing,
- Have tested and are awaiting results,
- Have an immediate family member in
your household who has tested
positive, or
- Have a fever, flu-like symptoms, or
suspect you may be positive